NHL Insider Chris Johnston Reveals the Remaining Two Teams in Race for Jonathan Toews

After he was out the previous two seasons with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and long COVID, Toews is expected to receive only a league-minimum contract with performance bonuses.

Unlike longtime teammate Patrick Kane, who signed for $2.75 million with Detroit after having hip surgery, Toews hasn't laced them up since 2022 and is unlikely to receive a big payday.

Still, there remains interest in the three-time Stanley Cup champion because of what he can contribute to a playoff team in a depth role. Of the two teams linked to Toews, though, Colorado looks less willing to create room for him.

Charlie Coyle and Jack Drury are already slated for bottom-six center roles, and it is not clear that the Avalanche would shift Coyle to the wing just to create room for Toews.

Winnipeg is seen as the better fit over Colorado

Winnipeg, however, is a better fit. Toews could be the fourth-line center to Lowry, especially if the Jets move Morgan Barron to the wing to help replace pending free agent Brandon Tanev.

Barron, an accurate defensive forward with great zone-start numbers, may still work on the wing, but Toews, uniquely praised for his faceoff ability, can potentially add some offense.

While Toews looks ahead to a comeback, he appears committed to one thing: chasing a future Stanley Cup in what could be his last year of play.